New V8 Future Tourers touring car category announced

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1: Octagon Motorsports today announced the launch of
Future Tourers, an all-new category of V8 touring car racing.
The category will cater for a minimum of four manufacturers - Holden,
Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi - with plans...

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1: Octagon Motorsports today announced the launch of
Future Tourers, an all-new category of V8 touring car racing.

The category will cater for a minimum of four manufacturers - Holden,
Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi - with plans to expand to include other brands
with models of a similar wheelbase. The Future Tourer will consist of a
silhouette type formula with a strictly controlled set of regulations to
ensure performance parity and importantly ensuring cost effective
motorsport.

There are a number of new vehicles under construction including two
Mitsubishi Magnas in Sydney and a brand new VT Commodore for James Brock.

James Brock said "It was fantastic to win my first race at Bathurst last
year in a Holden V8. This new category gives me the chance to participate
in a full season of racing in an official championship - it's going to be
a step forward in my career and also for many other drivers. I can't wait
to get started. The cut and thrust of racing in a championship really
appeals to me. Winning championships is what every driver strives for."

CAMS Chief Executive Peter Hansen said: "We are pleased that the new
category includes at least four manufacturers from the outset and that
this is a strictly controlled category with a control engine and standard
road version aerodynamics. We are working our way through the technical
regulations and I will have a full recommendation to the Board of CAMS at
its meeting next week."

The Future Tourers will compete on the same eight-round national program
as the BOC Gases Australian Super Touring Car Championship (which starts
at Sydney's Oran Park on May 28) and will therefore enjoy significant
television coverage via the Seven Network.

Plans are currently being formulated for the Future Tourers to compete in
Macau along side a contingent of Aussie Super Tourers in November. A brand
new Future Tourer can be built for between $80,000 and $100,000 which
means the category is very accessible.

Octagon Motorsport General Manager, Craig Fletcher said: "We are confident
this category will be embraced by a very enthusiastic group of new
competitors who have indicated to us that this form of strictly regulated,
cost efficient V8 category is precisely what they are looking for. We are
very mindful of the ever-increasing costs of motorsport participation and
we believe this have meant that many competitors simply cannot compete.
Future Tourers will fill the void and prove to be a great partner to the
Super Touring program. Commercially, Future Tourers will provide the
opportunity to introduce a whole new raft of companies into the sport,
which previously may have been financially out of their reach."

"Bruce Williams will work closely with competitors ensuring they are
accurately informed on the regulations and technical issues during the
build schedule of new vehicles. The first outing for the Future Tourers at
Oran Park on May 28 is sure to generate plenty of interest"

TOCA Chief Executive Kelvin O’Reilly said: "The introduction of Future
Tourers will be a welcome addition to Australian motorsport and we are
confident their presence will further enhance our Super Touring/Super
Production schedule for 2000."